Greg Kennedy, one of the stars of the new Cirque du Soleil production “Totem,” that is visiting the area for a run from May 30-June 30, graduated from Conestoga High School in Berwyn back in 1989.

He moved on to study at Drexel University, graduated five years later with a degree in civil engineering and immediately found work as an engineer. Things were on track and it looked as if Kennedy had found a career that would keep him satisfied and well-paid for a long time. But, things aren’t always as they seem.

“When I was a sophomore at Conestoga, they had a juggling class,” said Kennedy, during a recent phone interview. “That’s when I started getting into juggling. I really liked it and I started training a lot.

“I did a lot of juggling when I was in college. Juggling isn’t something a lot of college students get into. But, even as a kid, I always liked to do my own thing. When other kids were playing sports, I was into my skateboard.

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“When I was in college, I would work as a street performer doing juggling. And, I was also working at area casinos. In 1996, I won a gold medal at the International Jugglers Championships and that opened a lot of doors.”

Kennedy was in a situation of having a dual life — one in the science field as an engineer and one in the arts world as a juggling expert.

“In February 1997, I took a leave of absence from my job as a geo-technical engineer and never went back,” said Kennedy. “What I’m known for is coming up with new modern forms of juggling. I used my engineering experience and experimented with different media.

“When I first started juggling, it was with balls, clubs and rings. When I was in my 20s, I started working with more modern items. I did a lot of development — rolling, bouncing on different shaped surfaces, manipulating with kinetic sculptures. I developed my own 90-minute juggling show.”

Kennedy’s different, science-influenced style of an ancient form of entertainment caught the attention of the creative bosses at Cirque du Soleil.

“The people from Cirque du Soleil called and said they were interested,” said Kennedy. “I went to Montreal and met with them and they offered me the job. I worked with (Cirque du Soleil director/writer) Robert Lepage and we created ‘The Scientist’ role.”

Cirque du Soleil’s “Totem” traces the journey of the human species from its original amphibian state to its ultimate desire to fly. The characters evolve on a stage evoking a giant turtle, the symbol of origin for many ancient civilizations. Inspired by many founding myths, “Totem” illustrates, through a visual and acrobatic language, the evolutionary progress of species.

“The Scientist” represents reason and the quest to understand the universe in ways that can be quantified, measured and put into boxes. His “laboratory” features an orchestra of glass containers filled with mysterious fluorescent fluids as he steps into a transparent cone and juggles with luminous balls that might represent planets or molecules — or both — making them chase after each other in spiral orbits.

“I’m on stage with my monkey assistant,” said Kennedy. “There are live musicians behind me and I end up in a cone. And, my character is in the background for most of the other acts.”

The list of other featured characters includes the Amerindian Dancer, the Crystal Man and the Tracker. The production offers everything that those familiar with Cirque du Soleil’s shows know what to expect.

Cirque du Soleil’s shows push the limits of circus performances and stretch the boundaries of arena show performances. They are far removed from the circus under a Big Top that your grandparents loved when they were young.

While many circuses have morphed into indoor arena shows, Cirque du Soleil still has its “Big Top.” The new production “Totem” will be in the area for a limited engagement under the blue-and-yellow “Grand Chapiteau (Big Top)” at its new location on Camden’s Waterfront across the River from Philadelphia.